Detailed proposals have been submitted for approval to develop 161 new homes adjacent to Somerset’s newest railway station on Nynehead Road. West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd., based in nearby West Buckland, had already secured outline planning permission in May 2024 to build up to 200 homes in the area, which includes the crucial access road to the town’s £15 million new railway station.
Although the station received formal government approval in June, progress on the vital spine road has been delayed due to necessary remedial work on an existing section originally constructed alongside the nearby Lidl supermarket.
Following a public consultation held in early September, Bloor Homes South West has now put forward detailed plans for 161 homes within the site. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on these proposals by spring 2026.
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The approved designs for the spine road and ‘station square’—which will greet passengers arriving at the station, complete with views of the original Wellington Monument—were finalized via separate applications approved in March by the council’s Planning Committee West.
Within Bloor Homes’ proposals, land closest to the station is allocated for new commercial premises, with detailed designs to be handled through a future reserved matters application. Consistent with the outline permission, the development will include walking and cycling routes along the full length of the spine road and westward toward the B3187 Taunton Road.
Green spaces will be preserved on the western edge of the development, featuring plans to plant over 220 new trees and approximately 600 metres of native hedgerow to support local biodiversity.
The new homes will each offer three or four bedrooms. However, none will be classed as affordable housing due to the financial impact of phosphate mitigation measures stipulated in the outline permission. To support the local community, the developer has committed to contributions toward local services under a signed Section 106 agreement.
A spokesperson for Carney Sweeney, representing the developer, explained: “The site’s outline planning permission sets the development principle and approves the spine road and cycle path. The layout, appearance, landscaping, and scale evolved through extensive public and stakeholder engagement, pre-application discussions, and Council Quality Review Panel assessments. The project aligns with Taunton Garden Town principles to create a high-quality living environment for families.”
Bloor Homes has an established track record across Somerset, having built 237 homes at Evergreen Parade in Bridgwater and 130 homes at Somerton Mead. The company plans soon to begin construction on the Staplegrove urban extension in Taunton, following recent council approvals related to site access and ongoing review of detailed plans for the first 239 homes.
The council anticipates making a final ruling on the Nynehead Road plans early next year. Due to the scheme’s scale and significance, the decision will be made publicly by the Planning Committee West, responsible for major developments in the former Somerset West and Taunton area.
Meanwhile, Network Rail is expected to submit a separate application within six months for the railway station, car park, and associated facilities. The Department for Transport has yet to announce a target opening date for the new station, or for its sister station at Cullompton just across the Devon border.